Touchscreen MacBook Pro Arriving Soon: Apple is set to launch its first touch-enabled MacBook Pro in late 2026 or early 2027, reversing its long-held philosophy against vertical touchscreens.

Major Design and Component Overhaul: These revamped models will feature premium upgrades, including OLED displays, a new M6 chip, a thinner and lighter design, and a hole-punch camera replacing the notch. However, expect a price hike of a few hundred dollars.

Record High Price Driven by Investor Fear: Gold has surged past $4,200 per ounce in 2025, reaching new highs due to investors seeking a safe haven amid geopolitical and economic instability, including a trade war, US debt concerns, Federal Reserve uncertainty, and a weakening dollar. This is reflected in the highest level of ETF holdings in three years.

Central Bank Diversification Accelerates Demand: A major factor fueling the price increase is the aggressive buying by central banks, especially in emerging markets. These banks are purchasing over 1,000 tons annually to reduce their reliance on the US dollar, a trend accelerated by sanctions following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Outlook is Strong but Cautious: Gold remains a highly attractive safe-haven asset, currently outperforming equities with heavy investment from both institutional and retail buyers. However, its current valuation is considered historically stretched, meaning its price could fall if trade conflicts ease or geopolitical tensions de-escalate.

M&A Bonanza Driven by Presidential Policy: The U.S. is experiencing its eighth major merger wave, with mega-deals over $10 billion approaching record levels. This is fueled by President Trump's paradoxical approach of combining lax antitrust enforcement with using deal-making as a tool for industrial policy.

Historic Deals and New Business Structures: This wave includes landmark transactions, such as the largest-ever leveraged buyout (Electronic Arts at $55 billion). Furthermore, tech leaders like Nvidia and OpenAI are forging complex licensing and cross-holding arrangements that resemble Japan's concentrated keiretsu structures.

Unique Risk Factors in the Current Boom: The current boom is distinct from past waves due to its emphasis on "proximity-to-power" dealmaking (where regulatory approval hinges on presidential favor), a highly urgent, AI-fueled investment frenzy, and opaque financing arrangements that are raising concerns over concentration and potential market crash amplification.